The group was sailing on Alley Creek at Lake O' The Pines near Avinger, Texas, when they lost control of their sailboat and hit a power transmission line, according to a news release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The group was from Boy Scout Troop 620 in Hallsville, Texas.

When Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens arrived, they found the catamaran sailboat on fire.

East Texas Area Council, BSA Scout Executive & CEO Dewayne Stephens released the following statement on the deaths:

"This is an extremely difficult time for our Scouting family. We are very sad to confirm the deaths of two youth participants following a boating incident. A third youth has been airlifted to an area hospital after sustaining injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families. We will support them in any way that we can.